Living Historian Kenneth Serfass Presents at Ford City Public Library: The Rise of Ulysses S. Grant

Katie Wolfe, Ford City Public Library program coordinator, introduces living historian Mr. Kenneth Serfass as General Ulysses S. Grant at the FCPL on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Ford City, Pennsylvania. (Nathan Ferraro)

Kenneth Serfass, living historian, presents a humble, genuine portrayal of General Ulysses S. Grant based on events between Feb. 1, 1861, and Apr. 14, 1865 at the Ford City Public Library on Feb. 1, 2024 in Ford City, Pennsylvania. (Nathan Ferraro)

Ulysses S. Grant lived his life at the mercy of fate and providence, according to living historian Kenneth Serfass at a presentation at the Ford City Public Library on Feb. 1, 2024 in Ford City, Pennsylvania. Grant attended West Point before serving in Mexico, where he was eventually promoted from quartermaster to second lieutenant to first lieutenant to captain. (Nathan Ferraro)

When President Lincoln granted the state of Illinois six more stars in the army, Grant was promoted to Brigadier General, according to living historian Kenneth Serfass at a presentation at the Ford City Public Library on Feb. 1, 2024 in Ford City, Pennsylvania. “I’m just doing my duty,” Serfass said, as Grant. “Uncle Sam,” as some called him, remained humble, despite commanding over 3,000 men. (Nathan Ferraro)

Kenneth Serfass, living historian, described General Grant’s military strategy as he took over the western Confederate States at a presentation at the Ford City Public Library on Feb. 1, 2024 in Ford City, Pennsylvania. Grant soon learned that “the enemy is as afraid of us as we are of them,” a mentality he carried through the war. (Nathan Ferraro)

“I now wish to make the personal acknowledgement that you were right and I was wrong,” wrote Abraham Lincoln in a letter to General Grant, according to Kenneth Serfass, living historian, at a presentation at the Ford City Public Library on Feb. 1, 2024 in Ford City, Pennsylvania. The Commander-in-Chief’s ability to admit that he was wrong to a lower general showed a true perspective of his honest character. (Nathan Ferraro)

General Grant refused offers from the Republican and Democratic parties offering him a nomination for president in the 1864 election, according to Kenneth Serfass, living historian, at a presentation at the Ford City Public Library on Feb. 1, 2024 in Ford City, Pennsylvania. Throughout his life, Grant accepted — but did not demand — greater responsibilities. (Nathan Ferraro)

After the siege of Chattanooga, President Lincoln recommended Ulysses S. Grant for General-in-Chief, a position that hadn’t been filled since the time of George Washington, according to Kenneth Serfass, living historian, at a presentation at the Ford City Public Library on Feb. 1, 2024 in Ford City, Pennsylvania. “To think about filling the boots of George Washington is humbling,” said Serfass, as Grant. (Nathan Ferraro)

Kenneth Serfass, living historian, detailed the growing friendship between President Lincoln and General Grant at a presentation at the Ford City Public Library on Feb. 1, 2024 in Ford City, Pennsylvania. What began as a professional relationship evolved into a budding friendship by the time of Lincoln’s assassination. (Nathan Ferraro)

Kenneth Serfass, living historian, described former President Lincoln as “folksy” and down-to-earth at a presentation at the Ford City Public Library on Feb. 1, 2024 in Ford City, Pennsylvania. After the Civil War ended, both Lincoln and former Confederate General Robert E. Lee were able to see the “human side of things” as restoration began.

Kenneth Serfass, living historian, reads the telegram message that General Ulysses S. Grant received informing him of the assassination of President Lincoln on April 14, 1856 at a presentation at the Ford City Public Library on Feb. 1, 2024 in Ford City, Pennsylvania. Earlier that day, Grant had considered attending the performance of Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theater with Lincoln, but refused so he could see his children again. (Nathan Ferraro)

Kenneth Serfass, living historian, promotes his calendar featuring twelve pictures of his General Ulysses S. Grant persona at a presentation at the Ford City Public Library on Feb. 1, 2024 in Ford City, Pennsylvania. The calendar includes important historical dates as well as the standard holidays. (Nathan Ferraro)

On the first Thursday in March, the Ford City Public Library will host a meeting of the historical book club, according to Katie Wolfe, Ford City Public Library program coordinator. They Fought Like Demons: Women Soldiers in the Civil War by Lauren M. Cook is the topic of discussion. A living historian will present at the meeting as well. (Nathan Ferraro)